Resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/011,503, filed on Jun. 12, 2014, entitled “RESONANCE CONTROL COMPRESSION PAD FOR THE ACOUSTIC BASS DRUM”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of drums. More specifically, this patent specification relates to bass drum damping apparatuses for the purpose of altering acoustic bass drum tonal qualities.

BACKGROUND

The bass drum has been a key part of popular music for many decades. Because of the need for better quality drum sounds, artists, drummers, sound engineers, producers and others in the music business have used various tone-modifying methods to improve the sound of the bass drum for live performances and studio recordings. Conventional methods to dampen excessive overtones, harmonics, and ring in acoustic bass drums have usually been blankets and pillows, an exterior muffler or duct tape to dampen vibrations that result from the drumhead being struck by the bass drum pedal beater, and the resonances occurring within the front, or resonant head. These have been known to achieve varied results depending on the size and consistency of the material and system used to anchor the material.

Acoustic foam has been used to attenuate airborne sound waves by increasing air resistance, thus reducing the amplitude of the waves. The energy is dissipated as heat. However, current implementations of acoustic foam for acoustic treatment of bass drums have had undesirable consequences to the sound of the bass drum.

Therefore, a need exists for novel resonance control apparatuses for the acoustic bass drum. A further need exists for novel resonance control apparatuses that are able to solve the problems of acoustic overtones and ring in acoustic bass drums.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum is provided which may be used with a drum instrument of the type including a resonant head and an opposing batter head which are supported in a stretched state by a rigid frame and which can be selectively vibrated when the drum is played. In some embodiments, the pad may comprise an elongate batter head contacting surface; an elongate resonance head contacting surface opposingly positioned to the elongate batter head contacting surface; and a plurality of baffles coupled to the elongate batter head contacting surface and to the elongate resonance head contacting surface. The elongate resonance head contacting surface may be configured to contact portions of a resonant head when the pad is positioned within a drum instrument, while the elongate batter head contacting surface may be configured to contact portions of a batter head when the pad is positioned within a drum instrument. Once the pad is positioned within a drum instrument, the elongate resonance head contacting surface may exert pressure on the resonant head and the elongate batter head contacting surface may likewise exert pressure on the batter head, thereby providing resonance control to the drum instrument.

In further embodiments, a resonance control compression pad may further comprise a planar baffle coupled to a plurality of baffles. The planar baffle may comprise a planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface configured to contact the batter head of the drum in addition to the contact provided by the elongate batter head contacting surface. Once the pad is positioned within a drum instrument, the elongate resonance head contacting surface may exert pressure on the resonant head while both the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface and the elongate batter head contacting surface may likewise exert pressure on the batter head, thereby providing resonance control to the drum instrument.

In still further embodiments, the length of the elongate batter head contacting surface may be greater than the length of the elongate resonance head contacting surface.

In still further embodiments, the surface area of the batter head contacted by the elongate batter head contacting surface may be greater than the surface area of the resonance head contacted by the elongate resonance head contacting surface.

In even further embodiments, the surface area of the batter head contacted by the elongate batter head contacting surface and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface may be greater than the surface area of the resonance head contacted by the elongate resonance head contacting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts a front top perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a rear top perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows an exploded perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a top plan view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates a bottom plan view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a front elevation view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> depicts a rear elevation view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows a front perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum positioned within a drum instrument according to various embodiments described herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> depicts a rear perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum positioned within a drum instrument according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

New bass drum damping apparatuses are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref> illustrate perspective views of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum (“the pad”) <b>100</b> according to various embodiments which may be used with a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>) of the type including a resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) and an opposing batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) which are supported in a stretched state by a rigid frame <b>203</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>) and which can be selectively vibrated when the drum <b>200</b> is played. In this example, the pad <b>100</b> comprises an elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>; an elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> opposingly positioned to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>; and a plurality of baffles <b>14</b> coupled to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and to the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b>.

An elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be configured to contact portions of a resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) when the pad <b>100</b> is positioned within a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>). In some embodiments, an elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may comprise a generally planar shape similar to the generally planar shape of a resonant head <b>201</b>. An elongate batter head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be configured to contact portions of a batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) when the pad <b>100</b> is positioned within a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>). In some embodiments, an elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may comprise a generally planar shape similar to the generally planar shape of a batter head <b>202</b>.

As perhaps best shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, in some embodiments, a baffle <b>14</b> may comprise a generally elongated triangular prism shape allowing it to attenuate airborne sound waves such as by increasing air resistance. A pad <b>100</b> may comprise any number of baffles <b>14</b> such as between one and 24 baffles <b>14</b>. In further embodiments, a baffle <b>14</b> may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including rectangular prism shaped, cylinder shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, pyramid shaped, wedge shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes which may be formed into acoustic foam. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes of baffles <b>14</b> used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

In further embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may also comprise a planar baffle <b>15</b> which may be positioned on a top portion of the pad <b>100</b>. A planar baffle <b>15</b> may comprise a planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> which may be configured to contact the batter head of the drum <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). Generally, a planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may be positioned in the same plane as the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>, thereby allowing the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> to contact the batter head of the drum <b>202</b> when the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> is contacting the batter head of the drum <b>202</b> when the pad <b>100</b> is positioned within a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>). In some embodiments, a plurality of baffles <b>14</b> may be coupled to a planar baffle <b>15</b> which may be coupled to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>, thereby coupling the plurality of baffles <b>14</b> to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>.

Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, an exploded perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad for the acoustic bass drum according to various embodiments described herein is shown. In this example, a plurality of baffles <b>14</b> is shown coupled to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and to the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b>. In some embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may be formed by coupling a planar baffle <b>15</b> to a plurality of baffles <b>14</b>. The planar baffle <b>15</b> may comprise a plurality of baffle receiving formations <b>17</b>. A baffle receiving formation <b>17</b> may be generally complementary in shape to a baffle <b>14</b> allowing the baffle receiving formations <b>17</b> to mate with the baffles <b>14</b> when the planar baffle <b>15</b> is coupled to a plurality of baffles <b>14</b>. The planar baffle <b>15</b> may be coupled to a portion of a plurality of baffles <b>14</b> proximate to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> with the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> positioned generally in the same plane as the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>. In other embodiments, the planar baffle <b>15</b> may be integrally formed or molded to the plurality of baffles <b>14</b> and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may also be integrally formed or molded into the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>, thereby forming a continuous elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 7</figref>, in some embodiments, a pad <b>100</b> may comprise one or more, such as a plurality of depressions <b>18</b> which may be formed along the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b>. A depression <b>18</b> may be configured to decrease the amount of the pad <b>100</b> that is configured to contact the batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>), thereby decreasing the resilience of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b>. Optionally, a depression <b>18</b> may also allow the pad <b>100</b> to breathe so that air may circulate within one or more depressions <b>18</b> and the batter head <b>202</b>. By increasing the number of depressions <b>18</b>, the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may more easily compress and decrease amount of impact controlling acoustic amplitude the pad <b>100</b> is able to provide when placed within a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>). By decreasing the number of depressions <b>18</b>, the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may resist compression and increase amount of impact controlling acoustic amplitude the pad <b>100</b> is able to provide when placed within a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>).

In some embodiments, one or more depressions <b>18</b> may comprise a triangular prism shape. In other embodiments, a depression <b>18</b> may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including square prism shaped, rectangular prism shaped, cylinder shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes that may define a volume to decrease the amount of the pad <b>100</b> that is configured to contact the batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). It should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the terms and proposed shapes used herein regarding a depression <b>18</b> are exemplary, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4, 5, and 8</figref>, the pad <b>100</b> may comprise an elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> opposingly positioned to the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>. In some embodiments, the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may be generally parallel to the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b>. When the pad <b>100</b> is placed within a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>), the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> and the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may contact the resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) and the batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>), respectively, since the resonant head <b>201</b> and batter head <b>202</b> are generally parallel and opposingly positioned to each other. In further embodiments, the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> of the planar baffle <b>15</b> may be positioned generally within the same plane as the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> so that the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> is also parallel and opposingly positioned to the resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b>. When the pad <b>100</b> is placed within a drum instrument <b>200</b>, both the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may contact the batter head <b>202</b>.

The pad <b>100</b> may comprise dimensions that may be scaled up or scaled down to accommodate larger or smaller, respectively, dimensioned drum instruments <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>). In some embodiments and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4-7</figref>, the length of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may be greater than the length of the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> allowing the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> to be configured to contact a greater length of the batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) than the length of the resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) that the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be configured to contact. In some embodiments, a planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may also comprise a length that may be greater than, less than, or equal to the length of the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> and/or to the length of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>. In still further embodiments, the length of the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be between 25% and 75% of the length of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>. In still further embodiments, the length of the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be between 40% and 60% of the length of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>. In even further embodiments, the length of the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be approximately 50% of the length of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b>.

In some embodiments and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4-7</figref>, the surface area of the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may be greater than the surface area of the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> allowing the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> to be configured to contact a greater area of the batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) than the area of the resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) that the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be configured to contact. In further embodiments, the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may have a surface area of at least 15 square inches. In further embodiments, the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> may have a surface area of between 19 and 29 square inches. In some embodiments, the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>13</b> may have a surface area of at least 5 square inches. In further embodiments, the elongate resonance head contacting surface may have a surface area of between 7 and 17 square inches.

Generally, a pad <b>100</b> may be used with a drum instrument <b>200</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>) by placing the pad <b>100</b> within the drum <b>200</b> with the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> contacting the resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) and with the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> contacting the batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>). In some embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may comprise a width W<b>1</b> defined as the distance the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> is separated from the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. In further embodiments, W<b>1</b> may be greater than the distance separating the resonant head <b>201</b> from the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b>. The pad <b>100</b> may also be made from a compressible and resilient material such as acoustic foam which may compress and cause the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> to press against the resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) and the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> to likewise press against the batter head <b>202</b> when the pad <b>100</b> is placed within the drum <b>200</b>. In further embodiments, W<b>1</b> may be between 0.1 inches and 3.0 inches greater than the distance separating the resonant head <b>201</b> from the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b>. In still further embodiments, W<b>1</b> may be between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches greater than the distance separating the resonant head <b>201</b> from the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b>.

As W<b>1</b> is increased relative to the distance separating the resonant head <b>201</b> from the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b>, the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may exert greater pressure on the resonant head <b>201</b> and with the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may likewise exert greater pressure on the batter head <b>202</b>. Conversely, as W<b>1</b> is decreased relative to the distance separating the resonant head <b>201</b> from the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b>, the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may exert lesser pressure on the resonant head <b>201</b> and with the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may likewise exert lesser pressure on the batter head <b>202</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows a front perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad <b>100</b> for the acoustic bass drum positioned within a drum instrument <b>200</b> according to various embodiments described herein. The pad <b>100</b> may be used with a drum instrument <b>200</b> of the type including a resonant head <b>201</b> and an opposing batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) which are supported in a stretched state by a rigid frame <b>203</b> and which can be selectively vibrated when the drum <b>200</b> is played. As perhaps best shown by <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the pad <b>100</b> may be positioned within the drum <b>200</b> so that the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may contact and preferably exert pressure on the resonant head <b>201</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>).

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows a rear perspective view of an example of a resonance control compression pad <b>100</b> for the acoustic bass drum positioned within a drum instrument <b>200</b> according to various embodiments described herein. The pad <b>100</b> may be used with a drum instrument <b>200</b> of the type including a resonant head <b>201</b> and an opposing batter head <b>202</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>) which are supported in a stretched state by a rigid frame <b>203</b> and which can be selectively vibrated when the drum <b>200</b> is played. As perhaps best shown by <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the pad <b>100</b> may be positioned within the drum <b>200</b> so that the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may exert pressure on the batter head <b>202</b> and the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may contact and preferably exert pressure on the resonant head <b>201</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

In some embodiments, a pad <b>100</b> may be made from a compressible and resilient material such as acoustically dampening foam sometimes called acoustic foam. By securing the pad <b>100</b> to the resonant head <b>201</b> and to the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b> without contacting the rigid frame <b>203</b> of the drum <b>200</b>, air and sound waves may circulate around the entirety of the frame <b>203</b> within the drum <b>200</b>. The compressible and resilient nature of the material may allow the pad <b>100</b> to be formed in the planar configuration as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-8</figref>, and then bent into the curved configuration as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>. In further embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may be secured to the resonant head <b>201</b> and to the opposing batter head <b>202</b> of the drum <b>200</b> without contacting the rigid frame <b>203</b> of the drum <b>200</b>. The pad <b>100</b> may be bent into a curved configuration as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref> and then compressed between the resonant head <b>201</b> and the opposing batter head <b>202</b> thereby maintaining the curved configuration and preventing the pad <b>100</b> from contacting the rigid frame <b>203</b> of the drum <b>200</b> by the frictional engagement or securement between the pad <b>100</b> and the heads, <b>201</b>, <b>202</b>, of the drum <b>200</b>. In other embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may be formed in a curved configuration as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref> and then compressed between the resonant head <b>201</b> and the opposing batter head <b>202</b> thereby preventing the pad <b>100</b> from contacting the rigid frame <b>203</b> of the drum <b>200</b> by the frictional engagement or securement between the pad <b>100</b> and the heads, <b>201</b>, <b>202</b>, of the drum <b>200</b>.

In alternative embodiments, the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be secured to the resonant head <b>201</b> with an adhesive such as with a double sided adhesive tape or foam tab. In further alternative embodiments, the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may be secured to the batter head <b>202</b> with an adhesive such as with a double sided adhesive tape or foam tab. In still further embodiments, the elongate resonance head contacting surface <b>12</b> may be secured to the resonant head <b>201</b> and the elongate batter head contacting surface <b>13</b> and preferably the planar baffle elongate batter head contacting surface <b>16</b> may be secured to the batter head <b>202</b> with an adhesive such as with a double sided adhesive tape or foam tab without contacting the rigid frame of the drum.

In some embodiments, a pad <b>100</b> may be made from or comprise an acoustically dampening foam commonly referred to as acoustic foam. In further embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may be made from or comprise an open cell acoustically dampening foam such as polyurethane foam. In still further embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may be made from or comprise any acoustic foam material which may be used to attenuate airborne sound waves such as by increasing air resistance, thus reducing the amplitude of the waves including reticulated or un-reticulated polymers, ceramics, metals, or any other suitable material.

In some embodiments, the pad <b>100</b> may comprise one or more rigid durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials which may be encased or surrounded by an acoustically dampening foam onto which the components of the pad <b>100</b> may be formed or molded. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials which may be encased or surrounded by an acoustically dampening foam onto which the components of the pad <b>100</b> may be formed or molded. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pad <b>100</b> may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pad <b>100</b> may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pad <b>100</b> may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the pad <b>100</b>.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.